Document Detail


Assessment of the in vivo biomechanical properties of the human uterine cervix in pregnancy using the aspiration test: a feasibility study.
MedLine Citation:
PMID:  19285777     Owner:  NLM     Status:  MEDLINE    
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
OBJECTIVE: To date no diagnostic tool is yet available to objectively assess the in vivo biomechanical properties of the uterine cervix during gestation. METHODS: We show the first clinical application of an aspiration device to assess the in vivo biomechanical properties of the cervix in pregnancy with the aim to describe the physiological biomechanical changes throughout gestation in order to eventually detect pregnant women at risk for cervical insufficiency (CI). RESULTS: Out of 15 aspiration measurements, 12 produced valid results. The stiffness values were in the range between 0.013 and 0.068 bar/mm. The results showed a good reproducibility of the aspiration test. In our previous test series on non-pregnant cervices our repetitive measurements showed a standard deviation of >20% compared to <+/-10% to our data on pregnant cervices. Stiffness values are decreasing with gestational age which indicates a progressive softening of cervical tissue towards the end of pregnancy. Three pregnant women had two subsequent measurements within a time interval of four weeks. Decreasing stiffness values in the range of 20% were recorded. DISCUSSION: This preliminary study on the clinical practicability of aspiration tests showed promising results in terms of reproducibility (reliability) and clinical use (feasibility). Ongoing studies will provide further insights on its usefulness in clinical practice and in the detection of substantial changes of the cervix in pregnancy indicative for threatened preterm birth or cervical insufficiency.
Authors:
Margit Bauer; Edoardo Mazza; Mahmood Jabareen; Leila Sultan; Michael Bajka; Uwe Lang; Roland Zimmermann; Gerhard A Holzapfel
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Publication Detail:
Type:  Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't     Date:  2009-03-13
Journal Detail:
Title:  European journal of obstetrics, gynecology, and reproductive biology     Volume:  144 Suppl 1     ISSN:  1872-7654     ISO Abbreviation:  Eur. J. Obstet. Gynecol. Reprod. Biol.     Publication Date:  2009 May 
Date Detail:
Created Date:  2009-04-10     Completed Date:  2009-07-13     Revised Date:  -    
Medline Journal Info:
Nlm Unique ID:  0375672     Medline TA:  Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol     Country:  Ireland    
Other Details:
Languages:  eng     Pagination:  S77-81     Citation Subset:  IM    
Affiliation:
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical University Graz, Graz, Austria. margit.holzapfel-bauer@meduni-graz.at
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MeSH Terms
Descriptor/Qualifier:
Biomechanics
Biophysics / instrumentation
Cervix Uteri / physiology*
Diagnostic Techniques, Obstetrical and Gynecological
Elasticity
Feasibility Studies
Female
Humans
Pregnancy
Premature Birth / diagnosis,  prevention & control
Reproducibility of Results
Uterine Cervical Incompetence / diagnosis

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